Although it’ the Christmas Day spectacular, here in Australia it falls on Boxing Day and everyone knows this day is set up to rest your body after spending the day before trying to stuff as much food into your mouth as humanly possible.

If you missed today’s action due to still being in a food coma, we’ve got you covered.

He’s just 31 points away from third on the all time scoring list, but that’s not the real accomplishment for a guy like Kobe Bryant. Having modeled his game from a man who is widely regarded as the greatest to ever play, the passing of Michael Jordan holds a high level of significance for the Black Mamba, and he’s nearly there.

During one of the most tumultuous seasons in Lakers history, there has been little to cheer about for fans of the much fabled franchise.

One of the few joys still afforded to the fans however, is a well rested and rejuvenated Kobe Bryant who, while shooting a career low…. is as aggressive and determined as ever. That was on full display yesterday as Bryant carved out his 20th career triple double, while also becoming the only member of the 30k+ points club to eclipse 6,000 assists. Not bad for a 36 year old right?

I sent out quite possibly the worst hint for this upcoming article and without fail it was easily dismantled and figured out.

Thanks to Nick How for trying to stir the pot and throw in names such as Ian Botham and Glen Davis.

About a year ago for a school assignment I wrote an article about how Peyton Manning somehow with age had gone to a whole new level.

Whilst doing the research for this piece it was unfathomable how good this guy got every passing year (pardon the NFL pun there).

Yes it makes sense for athletes to get better, but normally once they have passed their ‘peak’ the numbers are supposed to continue to climb.

With all of that being said, I can’t help but feel that Kobe Bryant may be in for a 2013/14 Peyton Manning-esque season.

Kobe ‘Black Mamba’ Bryant is a very rare creature and similar to the beef he is a slice unlike anything else you may have spotted. He standouts in a game of remarkable characters

The stories are remarkably similar, Manning suffered from neck injuries which forced him onto the sidelines for extended periods of time. Bryant since rupturing his Achilles has faced a long arduous road back.

When they were out of the game, talks began about their place in the history of it all but they knew all along that history had not yet been written. They merely laughed at the speculation that they were done, all the while knowing another chapter was waiting to be written.

Now what Manning did in 2013/14 was supernormal, I don’t want to jump the gun and say Bryant will come back and destroy the competition (mostly because I admire the hell out of him and just want him back on the court).

But the drive that this guys lives his everyday life with is enough to make you believe that when he finally takes the court, his game may have evolved, he will still be steps above the rest.

And to be fair, Manning had unequivocally the best tools surrounding him to help get the job done.

Here is where the main issue lies though with Bryant, two types surround him:

Brand new unpackaged tools that have yet to taste real action

Old rusted and almost broken down tools.

The Lakers cast and crew are a very oddball bunch and you get the feeling not only are we the fans hoping that Bryant returns but his teammates are wishing for him to come back as the Bryant of old.

Having written some time ago now about how the game is becoming more small ball orientated, this could play in the hands of Bryant. Although he may not be too keen on the frenetic pace that some teams play at, he will absolutely lick his lips if he see’s another point guard trying to line up and guard him.

Being a Celtic fan it’s so easy for me to look at the Lakers roster and pokes holes in it (yes there are a few) but I’ve tried my best to remove these green shades for this article.

No player on the roster benefits more from a healthy Bryant than new kid on the block Julius Randle, the guidance that he will give to him will help his career immensely. If he even picks up one fifth of Bryant’s work ethic then the NBA world needs to be put on notice. And it seems the Mamba is excited for his newest addition.

Bryant is a relentless workhorse who won’t let some silly injury keep him from doing what he does better than most people can only dream of.

I for one cannot wait to see the Black Mamba back out on the floor in the NBA and if he can have a similar run to that of Manning then we are all in for a spectacular treat.

As long as the cursed injury bug doesn’t come back to bite him, the game is in a lot better shape than what it is with Bryant sitting eloquently on the sidelines.

I often at times get weird looks from people when I admit my love for Bryant seeing as though I’m a diehard Celtic. But the thing is, no matter whom you are, champions deserve respect and the game is better when Bryant is playing.

It’s funny too look back at the article I wrote about Manning and realize that the ending could easily be about Bryant.

Seriously, change the wording slightly and that could easily be about Bryant.

I’ve heard a lot of athletes lately question the decision of retirement and whether or not it’s best to bow out with a little left in the tank or push it and leave when you have nothing left at all.

All I can say for certain is that when the time comes, we are going to need an army to drag Kobe Bryant away from the game; he has undoubtedly become one of the all time greats at.

It’s been a while since we’ve done Rookie Watch here at NBA Nation Australia.

Before the 2012/13 season we focused on Jared Sullinger, Bradley Beal and Thomas Robinson throughout their rookie NBA seasons, and the features were always hugely popular.

I chose young shooting guard Bradley Beal, as I believed firmly he would evolve into someone with the ilk of a truly great NBA player, who would be as fun to watch as he would be exciting. Thankfully, I’ve been proven right with Beal capping off a fantastic season for the Washington Wizards in the 2014 Playoffs. He’s becoming more confident in his role every day, and going forward will be an integral part of the Wizard’s plan.

This year, with the NBA draft being so deep, we’ve decided to jump back on the rookie watch bandwagon, and cover a couple of the guys who perhaps aren’t getting quite the amount of hype or media attention they deserve. You have your Wiggins’s and your Parker’s, but we’ll be taking time out to check in on a couple of guys who are sure to be big players not only in the rookie of the year stakes, but also for their respective teams throughout the NBA season.

So, I’m choosing someone a little closer to my heart in ex-Kentucky Wildcat and 2014 NCAA runner up, Julius Randle, who was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 7th overall pick in the Draft.

These will be ongoing pieces throughout the year, so please feel free to forward us anything interesting you find relating to our respective players and we’ll include it in our reports. Be it a tweet, video, Instagram or an article… if you think it’s relevant, send it through!

Standing a formidable 6 foot 9 inches, Julius Randle was one of the more polarizing figures in the 2014 draft. A Kentucky freshman, he was one of the Wildcats’ best performers throughout the 2013/14 NCAA season, helping his team reach the Championship game in March and while Kentucky lost to the University of Connecticut in a close contest, Randle was undoubtedly one of the highlights. Averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per contest, he shot 50% across 40 games for the Cats and lead the Nation in double-doubles with 24 on the year. Randle also played alongside Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker in the 2013 McDonald’s All American game as well as the Jordan Brand Classic that year, one of six Wildcats competing in the event.

The Lakers had been enamored with Randle throughout much of their 2013/14 campaign, and with their off-season focus turning towards the draft, he became their number one target. While Lakers management believed Randle would be off the board by the 7th pick, the Lakers were overjoyed when their rival Celtics took Oklahoma State point guard Marcus Smart at six, leaving the door wide open for them to claim their man.

Called the draft’s “most NBA ready player” by the experts, the 250lb power forward will be heavily featured in Lakers coach Byron Scott’s rotation, especially now that their two time champ and star big man Pau Gasol has made the move to Chicago. Providing the team with stellar defensive efficiency, and the ability to muscle his way through traffic in the paint will mean big things for a Lakers team without an enforcer type player to throw his weight around down low. Randle can move with the ball, get his own shot, and out-muscle his competition on the glass – A huge advantage for the Lakers who were a lowly 25th in rebounding percentage last season.

New team mate and fellow workhorse Kobe Bryant, who has made a career out of demanding the best out of his fellow players, was pleased with the drafting of Randle, given his love for hard work.

“I demand a lot from my teammates as well. Holding each other accountable, putting extra work in was what I had to do at Kentucky. It was what I demanded of my teammates and that’s what we did and that’s why we were successful.” Randle said on draft night. “He [Kobe] may get tired of me because I’m going to be bugging him, trying to learn stuff from him. I’m going to learn a lot from him.”

We believe you, rook.

Summer League 2014

Randle’s first experience as a member of the Lakers came during July’s NBA Summer League tournament in Las Vegas, NV where alongside fellow draftee Jordan Clarkson and a host of other Laker hopefuls, he impressed officials and sent a wave of excitement around Laker Nation. Whilst the Lakers finished the tournament with a 2-3 record, the two rookies were at the forefront of the team for the duration, impressing both fans and critics alike with a wide range of skills.

Missing the first game due to a contract mishap, Randle averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 28 minutes across four starts, all the while shooting a respectable 44.8%. Both he and Clarkson are expected to arrive at Lakers HQ in El Segundo, CA this month ahead of training camp in early October.

Check out some of Randle’s highlights from the SL below:

Social Media Highlights

As is the case with most high profile sports stars these days, social media plays a huge part in their day to day lives, as it does ours, so part of our rookie updates will include the best of Instagram, Twitter and Facebook throughout the season. in case you’re not already following Julius Randle, you can do so via the links below. For now, here are a few highlights so far:

Instagram (@juliusrandle30)

You can’t handle Randle! He’s already been signed by Nike on a rookie deal.

Meant to be. Randle actually grew up a fan of the purple and gold!

As is tradition in LA, the rookie takes in the sights at Dodger Stadium

Randle with his biggest supporter as he is introduced to the LA media

Twitter (@J30_RANDLE)

Specs

Name: Julius Randle

DOB: 29/11/1994 (Age 19)

Height: 6’9″

Position: Power Forward

Pick: Selected with the 7th overall pick by the LA Lakers in the 2014 Draft

College: University of Kentucky Wildcats

So there you have it – Julius Randle, the highest Laker draft pick since James Worthy in 1982. The kid has some big shoes to fill but we can’t wait to see how his game evolves during his time with the Lakers. Thanks for reading, and make sure you keep checking back for regular updates. Again, if you want to submit something to be a part of the next update, send it to us and we’ll include it!

It wasn’t long ago. June 2010, and Los Angeles was in a state of euphoria. The Lakers had just won the NBA Championship on their home floor, in game 7 against a tough Boston Celtics squad, and had ambitions of their second three-peat under the guidance of Phil Jackson. There was hysteria at the Staples Center as Kobe Bryant celebrated his 5th title, and the Lakers were once again sitting atop the NBA pile, victorious for the 16th time in their history.

No one could have predicted what would unfold for this franchise, and its superstar over the next four years. It’s a story that will be written in the annals of basketball history, and studied throughout the years as a piece of Lakers folklore that is just as culturally important, although not as successful, as the Showtime Lakers of the 1980’s or the Shaq and Kobe era during the early 2000’s. As any Lakers fan will tell you, the unwavering love for the ball club is second to none, but this is a story that has tested, and will continue to test even the most hardened fans.

A second round exit to the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks in 2011 would set in motion a series of events for the Los Angeles Lakers that would render them unable to compete for a title for years, and put the franchise in a state of flux from which they are yet to pull themselves. The lockout, the nixed Chris Paul deal, the Dwight Howard saga, numerous coaching debacles and injury have all been a part of a period in Lakers history which many will be happy to see the end of. Even if it takes years.

Perhaps the most intriguing, and equally tragic element in the Lakers downfall however, is the final phase of their superstar and leader, Kobe Bryant’s career.

An 18-year veteran, Bryant has endured both good times and bad in his years with the Lakers, but none so much as the current challenges he faces in the twilight of his much decorated time at the top. Five Championships, two finals MVP’s and a league MVP, two scoring titles, sixteen All Star selections, 4th highest scorer in NBA history (soon to be third) and countless other accolades have cemented Bryant as one of the top 10 players of all time, but now, in his (presumably) final two years, perhaps his greatest challenge awaits.

His horrific Achilles injury in 2013 had the NBA world questioning whether he’d ever be the player he was again, given the history of the injury he sustained that April night at Staples Center seldom yields positive results. He returned for 6 games in December (averaging a respectable 13.8 points, 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game) before a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau (knee) forced the Lakers to sit Bryant for the remainder of a season already lost, and hope their star would be ready come October 2014.

And ready he is. Working himself back into game-ready shape, and by all accounts, looking good. Kobe Bryant will be fit, healthy and ready to go come opening night.

The off season hasn’t panned out quite as the Lakers had hoped. After locking up Kobe for two more years with a much criticized $48 million contract, they aimed at big time free agents Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, and missed out on both. Instead the results this summer have been, while solid, relatively underwhelming.Additions have included Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis, and 7th overall pick Julius Randle, while also re-signing the likes of Nick Young, Ryan Kelly and Jordan Hill. A roster that, while maybe not title-winning in stature, will provide Bryant with some reasonable company until next summer when the team will have numerous free agency targets.

A veritable gold-mine for those who subscribe to the notion that other stars are against playing with Kobe, the Lakers inability to lock down their targets in free agency has become more about the veteran and his stubborn ways than it has about the team, and what playing in Los Angeles can do for a player, even beyond basketball. In that, it is important to remember that the Lakers, while a desirable destination no matter which way you view things, have never used free agency as a means of re-tooling. Throughout the past 18 years, there are few occasions whereby the team has acquired talent via free agency, preferring trades as a means of improvement.

But with 2 picks in 2015, and a top 5 protected lottery opportunity, being awful may not be so bad for the Lakers next season – The issue is, however, Kobe. To assume a guy like Bryant will be happy with losing in his final years to better the team going forward, is naive. Call him selfish, but at this point, he’s earned the right. You can bet the house that with everything he’s faced this past 15 months, there is a fire burning under Kobe Bryant, and despite the burden on his shoulders, he’ll be there on opening night, ready to lead his team out of mediocrity and back into the spotlight. The questions that need to be answered will be in due time, and whether he proves you wrong or right, there must be a level of respect for a man who has given his whole self to the game of basketball.

The debate continues to rage surrounding Kobe, and if he’ll still be able to contribute to the Lakers going forward, but while his Championship window is as good as closed, there is still plenty left in the tank. The fact is, that while many continue to doubt Kobe’s ability, he continues to set the bar in terms of how his competition readies itself – His tenacious, obsessive commitment to self-improvement and unrelenting competitiveness are testament enough to the fact that Kobe Bryant, no matter what, will always make a difference.

He’s got his doubters, and he has his critics, but the interesting thing about Bryant is his willingness to embrace it and use it as a means to compete. Fuel for the fire burning inside him. Yes, he is in his twilight years and the Lakers simply cannot rely on him alone to lead them back to title contention, but surely it’s more admirable for a man who has been the cornerstone of the franchise for near on 20 years to stand up and fight than it is to admit defeat and retreat into the shadows. As much as he would disagree, Kobe’s greatest challenge now is not winning a sixth title, or another MVP award, but ensuring his legacy is solidified, his name immortalized and shrouded in purple and gold with both the lovers and the haters firmly intact. They’ve all made him who he is today, and I’m sure he’d credit each and every one of you equally.

But be that as it may, there is still a task at hand, and in Bryant’s mind, it’s still fair game. Will the Lakers be atop the pile in these, an all time great’s final years at the helm? It’s unlikely, but you’d be a fool to think Kobe won’t die trying.

[Update 3.10PM 07/07/2014] Gasol, while listening to offers from other teams, has indicated that he will re-sign with the Lakers if they can land Carmelo Anthony and/or LeBron James in free agency. Pau is still hot property on the FA market, but the Lakers appear to be in the box seat to should they be able to improve the roster with a big name player.

Pau Gasol has long been the subject of trade rumors since joining the Lakers late in 2007 and has dealt with his fair share of critics, but now, the 7 foot Laker big man is a free agent and the interest around the NBA has been huge.

Averaging over 17 points a game throughout his career, Gasol helped the Lakers to two successive titles in 2009 and 2010, but has since been a part of a team struggling to regain everything which made them one of the most formidable franchises in all of sports.

What feels like a cast of thousands have walked through the doors of the Lakers’ training facility in El Segundo since Pau arrived, with the Spaniard withstanding some harsh judgement on the part of the fans and much of the LA media throughout his time there. Along with the aging Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol has been the true icon of loyalty and dedication to a franchise who badly needed it.

But here we are, summer 2014, and the Lakers and Pau are both trying to get back on the path to resurrection. Gasol, who has been so loyal, looking to get back to playing winning hoops and the Lakers, such a proud organization, desperately trying to find someone to guide them into a new era, of post-Kobe Bryant Los Angeles basketball.

Pau has, unsurprisingly, been hot property so far in free agency, drawing interest from a number of teams including the Thunder, Knicks, Heat, Bulls and Lakers. The 7-footer provides a big offensive presence for these teams, with the Thunder looking the perfect fit so far, followed by the Knicks and the Bulls.

While this is all well and good, Gasol will still command a mighty pay check, somewhere in the $8-10 million a year area, making teams think twice before jumping on him. Most teams that will consider Gasol will already have a contending front line, indicating they may only be willing to use the mini-mid level on Gasol. With that said, it is unclear whether Pau will be interesting in accepting a considerable pay cut to play contending basketball.

Forever the scapegoat of Los Angeles’ cut throat media, and often the fans too, Gasol will surely take the time to consider his options and what situation benefits him most going forward. Carmelo Anthony has expressed a desire to play alongside him (in New York or LA, it’s not yet clear), and the Heat have also come a’knockin’ this morning, while the Thunder stay hot on his heels.

Given his undying loyalty to Kobe and the Lakers, perhaps the NBA’s perennial nice guy is finding it just a little bit harder to say goodbye than once thought.

One thing is for sure however…

There will be a purple and gold jersey with the number 16 hanging in those rafters at Staples Center one day.

[Update 3.20pm 07/07/2014] Having met with all teams interested in signing him, Melo has spent the weekend largely in hiding mulling over the decision about where he’ll play next season. Yesterday the Lakers emerged as the Knicks’ top threat to sign Anthony, with reports emerging that the team had managed to have a significant impact, and leave him strongly considering their 4 year, $97 million offer. There have been multiple rumors surrounding Anthony, and how he’s spent his weekend in Los Angeles with the likes of Kobe Bryant, but none have been confirmed and most have simply been proven untrue.

Additionally, no team has been informed whether they are out of the Melo race or not at this stage, however Marc Spears at Yahoo! Sports believes there will be a decision within the next few days.

Initial Report:

Carmelo Anthony has today wrapped up his free agency tour in Los Angeles, following lengthy meetings with the Bulls, Rockets, Mavs, Lakers and Knicks throughout the past few days.

One of the NBA’s highest profile stars, Anthony has been entertaining potential suitors throughout the Eastern and Western Conferences, hoping to find the right landing spot for he and wife LaLa Vasquez to call home for the foreseeable future.

Kicking things off in Chicago first thing Tuesday morning, Melo met with Bulls management who took him on a fully guided tour of the team’s training facility and home arena, the United Center. The Bulls’ pitch also included a full workout of point guard Derrick Rose, in the hope it would encourage Anthony to feel comfortable with his fitness level. The Bulls pulled out all the stops, draping the walls of the United Center with images of Anthony wearing his number 7 jersey, and took him out to an exclusive dinner.

Anthony’s meeting with the Houston Rockets was reportedly similar, with team Moray going the distance to give themselves the best possible chance at landing him. Jeremy Lin’s #7 jersey was Photoshopped onto an image of Melo this time round, which angered the team’s current guard, evidently coming to the realization the possibly incoming Anthony likely means the end of his tenure in Houston.

Meetings with the Mavericks and Lakers have not been as lengthy, or as glamorous, with both teams reportedly going for a much more minimalistic approach. Not much is known about Melo’s meeting with the Mavs, but it’s safe to assume Mark Cuban did everything in his power to persuade Anthony the Big D is the place where he’ll be most likely to win.

The Lakers were next up this morning, with GM Mitch Kupchak, team President Jeanie Buss and VP of Basketball Ops Jim Buss running the show alongside Laker legend James Worthy, and executives from Time Warner Cable Sportsnet also in attendance. Kobe Bryant, who was expected to be in the meeting, was not present, although he is said to be meeting with Anthony later this afternoon. The meeting lasted two and a half hours, with the Lakers said to be “pleased” with the outcome. Anthony left the Lakers’ El Segundo practice facility smiling, stopping for photos and autographs with fans before giving a thumbs up, and heading off to his meeting with Phil Jackson and the Knicks.

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN LA has reported that the Lakers’ offer to Anthony stands at 4 years, $97 Million. The maximum available to them.

Chris Broussard, also of ESPN, has said that the Knicks have reiterated to Melo that they will give him the maximum 5 years, $129 Million should he choose to remain in New York next season. Their meeting with Anthony this afternoon reportedly ended with the team confirming that they would not ask their superstar to take less than the amount initially projected to be available to him.

All teams have been informed not to expect a decision from Carmelo Anthony until after the weekend, giving him time to consider his choices, and listen to any additional offers that may arise.

Of course, there is another free agent out there, who’s movements will likely impact Melo’s decision greatly, and the rest of the league for years to come.